An integrated map of human chromosome 6p23.

The human chromosomal band 6p23 is a Giemsa-negative (light) band that may be expected to be relatively gene rich. The genes for spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), guanosine monophosphate reductase (GMPR), DEK involved in a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and the folate-sensitive fragile site FRA6A, have already been mapped to 6p23. Recent linkage data have suggested evidence for a susceptibility locus for schizophrenia in the region.

Evidence of a locus for orofacial clefting on human chromosome 6p24 and STS content map of the region.

Orofacial clefting is genetically complex, no single gene being responsible for all forms. It can, however, result from a single gene defect either as part of a syndrome (e.g.

New vector for transfer of yeast artificial chromosomes to mammalian cells.

A modification vector has been constructed to facilitate the transfer of yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) to mammalian cells in culture by targeting a dominant selectable marker (G418 resistance) to the right arm of pYAC4 clones. The ADE2 gene is used for yeast selection with consequent disruption of the URA3 gene, allowing direct modification of YACs within the common host strain AB1380, and providing a simple test for correct targeting. This vector has been tested by modification of a 550-kb YAC containing part of the human MHC class II region and transfer to CHO cells by protoplast fusion.

Frequent loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 6 in human ovarian carcinoma.

Investigation of genetic changes in tumours by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) is a powerful technique for identifying chromosomal regions that may contain tumour suppressor genes. LOH has been described on chromosome 6 in ovarian carcinoma using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis with a small number of probes. We studied 29 ovarian carcinomas with 19 probes mapping to chromosome 6.

Fine mapping of the human MHC class II region within chromosome band 6p21 and evaluation of probe ordering using interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Eight previously well-characterized and mapped probes derived from the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II region were used to investigate the advantages and limitations of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques for fine mapping. The class II region of the MHC was localized within subband 6p21.31 by in situ hybridization on metaphase chromosomes that were banded by immunofluorescence staining with an antibody against 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU).

Characterization and mapping of the human SOX4 gene.

The SOX genes comprise a large family related by homology to the HMG-box region of the testis-determining gene SRY. We have cloned and sequenced the human SOX4 gene. The open reading frame encodes a 474 amino acid protein, which includes an HMG-box.

A testis-expressed Zn finger gene (ZNF76) in human 6p21.3 centromeric to the MHC is closely linked to the human homolog of the t-complex gene tcp-11.

A novel testis-expressed Zn finger gene (ZNF76) was identified by screening cDNA libraries with cosmids derived from 6p21. ZNF76 is a member of the GLI-Krüppel family of DNA binding proteins. It is conserved in mouse where transcription in testis is initiated at Day 20 after birth.

Genomic organization of the human folate receptor genes on chromosome 11q13.

There has been interest in the high affinity folate receptor (FOLR) recently because of its high expression in the majority of ovarian tumors. The FOLR genes are part of a family that includes an adult gene, a fetal gene, and one or more pseudogenes, which have been localized to chromosome 11. As a step toward understanding why the adult FOLR gene product is expressed on tumors, we have determined the organization of all the human FOLR-related genes.

Mitotic recombination of yeast artificial chromosomes.

Large regions of human DNA can be cloned and mapped in yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs). Overlapping YAC clones can be used in order to reconstruct genomic segments in vivo by meiotic recombination. This is of importance for reconstruction of a long gene or a gene complex.

Isolation of probes specific to human chromosomal region 6p21 from immunoselected irradiation-fusion gene transfer hybrids.

A hybrid cell line (R21/B1) containing a truncated human chromosome 6 (6pter-6q21) and a human Y chromosome on a hamster background was irradiated and fused to A23 (TK-) or W3GH (HPRT-) hamster cells. Clones containing expressed HLA class I genes (4/40) were selected using monoclonal antibodies. These clones were recloned and analyzed with a panel of probes from the HLA region.

Cloning of the HLA class II region in yeast artificial chromosomes.

Yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) have been applied to clone the entire class II region of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC), including its flanking regions, in a contig over 1.5 million base pairs (bp) long. The human DNA inserts in the YACs have a size between 60 and 1300 kbp and were isolated from two EcoRI partial digest libraries.

Organization of the human HLA-class-II region.

A detailed map of the class-II region of the human MHC has been established by pulsed-field-gel-electrophoresis (PFGE) mapping and cloning in yeast-artificial-chromosome (YAC) vectors. The map revealed CpG islands, which are frequently associated with genes, in the gaps between the known HLA-class-II genes. Using cosmid walking and chromosome jumping, we have cloned 3 of these islands and have identified 5 novel genes, named RINGI-5.

A physical map including a new class I gene (cda12) of the human major histocompatibility complex (A2/B13 haplotype) derived from a monosomy 6 mutant cell line.

To avoid interpretative problems due to restriction fragment length polymorphisms, the monosomy 6 mutant cell line BM19.7 was employed to establish a molecular map of the human major histocompatibility (HLA) complex in the A2,B13,Bw4,DRw6,DRw52,DQw1,DPw2 haplotype. Results were obtained mainly by field-inversion gel electrophoresis and Southern blotting techniques.

Assignment of the TCP1 locus to the long arm of human chromosome 6 by in situ hybridization.

TCP1, the human homolog of the Tcp-1 locus in the mouse, which is part of the murine t complex and codes for an abundant testicular germ-cell protein, has been mapped within the human genome by in situ hybridization. Using a cDNA probe for TCP1, pB1.4 hum, we assigned TCP1 to human chromosome region 6q23----qter, with the most likely localization being 6q25----q27.

Mapping of HLA genes using pulsed-field gradient electrophoresis.

The technique of pulsed-field gradient electrophoresis (PFGE) allows the determination of gene linkage relationships since DNA fragments up to 2 Mb can be separated. PFGE was employed to study linkage of class I, II and III genes belonging to the human major histocompatibility (HLA) complex. The results establish that the class II DO beta and DZ alpha genes are linked with the DP subregion, centromeric to the DQ/DX-DR-C4 chromosomal segment, and allow us to estimate the minimal length of the entire HLA complex.